Adjustable damper device



Jan. 15, 1929. 1,699,338

A. c. WOODARD ADJUSTABLE DAIPIR DIVIGI Filed Nov. '18, 192! ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES mm c. woommn, or ONEONTA, new Yonx.

ADJUSTABLE DAMPER DEVICE.

Application fled November 18, 1927. Serial 1V0. 284,228.

This invention relates to an adjustable damper device for use in connection with locomotives, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of such class for regulatin the induced draft of locomotives to provide a uniform distribution of air through the grate area and fire bed; a more complete combustion of the hydrocarbon gases of a fuel to insure a higher degree of superheated steam, and further to reduce-fuel consumption by reducing the spark losses to the stack.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth an adjustable damper construction or device which is simple in its arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efiicientin its use, readily installed with respect to the smoke box of a locomotive, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arran ement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a locomotive illustrating the smoke box thereof and further showing the adaptation therein of an adjustable damper device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a locomotive, at the smoke box thereof, and illustratin the arrangement within the smoke box 0 an adjustable damper device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the table plate.

Figure 4 illustrates one of the adjustable hangers in section and side elevation.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the deflector element of the device. p 1

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the reguiating element of the device.

Referring to the drawing in detail ldenotes the smoke box of a. locomotive, 2 the stack, 3 the exhaust nozzle, 4 a deflector wall, 5 a table plate, 6 a screen, 7 the lower sections of the tubes, 8 the superheated tubes, 9 the steam supply pipes and 10 the extension at the forward end of the locomotive body which provides the fire-box 1. The foregoing elements are of known construction, with the exception of the manner in which the table plate 5 is formed to provide for the ada tation thereof in connection with the ad ustable damper device in accordance with this invention. The table plate 5, is formed with an opening 11 for the passage of the exhaust nozzle 3 and the plate 5 is secured to the latter in proximity to the upper end thereof. The screen 6 is connected at its lower end to the plate 5 and rear of the plate 5. For the purpose of adapting the table plate 5, with a damper device in accordance with this invention, the plate 5 is formed in proximity to its forward edge with a pair of spaced rectangular slots 12, 13.

The adjustable damper device, in accordance with this invention, is positioned against and projects forwardly from a front tube sheet 14 and is adjustably suspended from the table plate 5. The device includes a deflector element and a regulating element referred to generally at 15 and 16 respectively and said element 15 is positioned immediately below the superheated tubes 8. The

element 15 is secured within the smoke box 1 by being bolted to a pair of angle irons 17 of appropriate length and which are welded on the inside of the smoke box. The element 15 is angularly disposed with respect to the sheet 14 and isdownwardly in clined. The element 15 is formed of an intermediate section 18 and a air of end sec tions 19, 20. The sections 0 the element 15 are secured together b butt straps 21 and holdfast devices 22. he section 18 is de' tachably connected to the sections 19 and 20. The manner of setting up the element 15 permits for its roper application and further allows of t e removal of the section 18 for inspection of the lower sections of the r the bafile 4 is secured at its lower end to the j tubes 7 when desired. The element 15 is constructed with what may be termed a rear portion 23 and a forward portion 24 and with the former of less width than the latter. The portion 23 is disposed at a slight downward inclination and the portion 24 also is disposed ata downward inclination, but the inclination is greater than the inclination of the portion 23. Secured upon the upper face of the sections19and in proximity to the section 18 are hinge members 25 which are positioned at front of the said sections 19 and 20 and extend slightly forward therefrom.

The regulating element 16 ispositioned below and in spaced relation with respect to the bottom plate 5 and said element 16 comprises a .rectangular bodylportion 26, formed centrally thereof with a rectangular slot 27 which opens at the rear edge of said body portion 26.. The slot 27 is of a width to permit of the passage of the exhaust nozdo 3. Detachably connected upon the up per face of the body portion 26 is a flat rctaining member 28 which couples the body portion 26 to the exhaust nozzle 3. The upper face of the body portion 26, at the rear thereof is provided with a pair of spaced hinge members 29 which are connected to the hinge members 25 and by this arrangementthe elements 15 and 16 are hinged together. The forward portion of the element 16 is flanged slightly, as indicated at 30 and with the flange depending downwardly at a slight inclination and it is provided to renovate the smoke box of any accumulation of cinders which may be drawn through the tubes by the induced draft.

Secured to the upper face of the body portion 26, are spaced pairs of angle irons. The angle irons of one pair are indicated at 31 and those of the other pair at 32. The angleirons of. each pair are arranged in spaced relation and are oppositely dis posed. The pairs of angle llOIlS are arranged forwardly with respect to the slot 27. The vertical parts of the angle irons are apertured and said vertical parts are in- ,dicated at 33 and the apertures therein at '34. Pivotally connected to the pairs of angle irons 31, 32 are adjustable hangers 35, 36 respectively. The pivots between the hangers 35, 36 and the pairs of angle irons .31, 32 are indicated at 37. The hangers 35, 36 extend up through the slots 12, 13 respectively in the table plate 5. Each hanger has its upper portion formed with a series of superposed slots 38 for adjustably connecting the hanger toa pair of opposite sides of a slot 12 or 13. irons 39 have their vertical portions aperpositely disposed angle irons 39 secured upon the'upper face of the plate 5 at op The angle tured and extending therethrough is a detachable coupling means 40 for the hanger.

The arranging of the deflecting element and regulating element in the manner as illustrated and with the provision for the adjusting of the regulator element relative to the deflector element, provides an adjustable damper to obtain a uniform distribution of air through the grate area and fire bed, re sulting in a more complete combustion of the hydrocarbon gases of the fuel thereby insuring a high degree of superheated steam and further the device functions to reduce coal consumption by reducing spark losses to the stack, and therefore it is thought the many advantages of an adjustable damper device, in accordance with this invention and for the purpose referred to, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. An adjustable damper device for the purpose set forth comprising an angle deliector element, a regulator element flexibly connected to the deflector element, means for adjustably suspending the regulator element, and said regulator element provided with a slot for the passage of an exhaust nozzle.

2. An adjustable damper device for the purpose set forth comprising a stationary, angle deflector element, a regulator element arranged forwardly of the deflector element, means for flexibly connecting the rear of the regulator element to the front of the deflector element, means for adjustably suspending the regulator element, and said regulator element provided with a slot for the passa e of an exhaust nozzle. 2

3. in adjustable damper devicefor the purpose set forth comprising a stationary deflector element formed of an inclined rear portion and an inclined forward portion, the inclination of the forward portion being greater than the inclination of the rear portion, a regulator element extending forwardly from, the lower end of the forwad portion of the deflector element, means for flexibly connecting the rear end of the regulator element to the lower end of the forward portion of the deflector element, means for adjustably suspending the regulator element, and said regulator element provided with a slot for the passage of an exhaust nozzle.

4. An adjustable damper device for the purpose set forth comprising a stationary deflector element formed of an inclined rear portion and an inclined forward portion, the inclination of the forward portion being greater than the inclination of the rear porvtion, a regulator element extending forwardly from the lower end of the forward its forward portion disposed at a downward portion of the deflector element, means for inclination, and said regulator element proflexibly connecting the rear end of the reguvided with a slot for the passage of an ex- 10 lator element to the lower end of the forhaust nozzle.

5 ward portion of the deflector element, In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature means for adjustably suspending the reguhereto. lator element, said regulator element having ALTON C. WOODARD. 

